The Sorting Hat

[sbursztynski]

No: HPFGUIDX 87393

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ghinghapuss" <rredordead at a...> 
wrote:
> > K wrote:
> > And on the subject of people grouping all the Slytherins together 
> (which we are, but only sort of) if JKR doesn't give us anyone but 
> Snape out of Slytherin house who isn't evil to the bone by the end 
of 
> book seven the loud thump you hear will be me throwing my book 
across 
> the room in disgust. She has a strong anti-prejudice theme, she has 
a 
> strong theme of choice and individuality (Harry, Dobby etc) and yet 
> she seems to be telling us you can write off 25% of the wizarding 
> world's children at the age of 11! 

Sue here:

Very true ... but, aha! Think how nearly *Harry* was to being sorted 
into Slytherin! (g). What if he hadn't met Ron on the train and got 
his side of the story? No doubt he'd have been an unhappy Slytherin, 
but if the Hat could sort him into that house, maybe there are some 
other perfectly nice Slytherins? Besides, there's a definite house 
rivalry at work. Among the teachers, it's friendly, but kids take 
things so seriously. Even poor Cedric Diggory is sneered at by 
Griyffindors for having the nerve to be a good Quidditch player and
in a rival team. But it makes everyone feel good to gang up on 
Slytherin, whatever their own rivalries.